Mosquitoes can make a backyard feel unusable. For gardeners, that can mean less time tending plants, less time outside, and a lot more swatting.
A new explainer by Ashley (@GardeningInCanada), a soil scientist, argues that long-term relief can come from not relying on insect repellent alone.
What's happening?
With mosquito populations 36 times higher in Saskatchewan this year, Ashley looks at what draws mosquitoes into certain areas and how people can make their yards less friendly to them. First, she says to remove any standing water in gutters, pails, buckets, and more.
But cutting back on conditions that support mosquitoes goes far beyond that. Next, she explains that "mosquitoes don't like to dry out." Increasing airflow in your garden with proper spacing and pruning can cut back on "a heat-humidity trap" that mosquitoes love.
For mosquitoes that do show up, making a mosquito dunk with biological controls like BTI can disrupt the lifecycle of mosquitoes, meaning there will be fewer of them in your yard over time.
Other tips and tricks include scaring mosquitoes with fake dragonflies (which prey on mosquitoes) and using citronella oil in your garden.
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Why does it matter?
Gardening can offer everyday benefits.
Growing food at home can help households save money on produce, and many gardeners say homegrown fruits and vegetables taste better than store-bought versions. Gardening can also support mental and physical health by encouraging movement, time outdoors, and stress relief.
When mosquitoes take over, though, those benefits become harder to access. "You go outside and start digging in plants, and it is near impossible," Ashley shared.
Mosquitoes are also more than just a backyard annoyance because they can carry diseases such as West Nile, Zika, and malaria.
What are people saying?
Instead of treating the mosquitoes as something to manage with chemicals only in real time, Ashley emphasizes preventing mosquito-friendly conditions in the first place.
One commenter from Minnesota, who jokingly referred to mosquitoes as the state bird, affirmed that "dragonflies work." Another countered: "Mosquito dunk is by far the best solution."
"I grow lots of lemon balm. That repels a lot of them," a third shared.
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